MONROE — Amid a period of relative stability in its leadership, and some say a tempering of lingering morale issues, the Monroe fire department is seeking to add a full-time deputy chief to its ranks.
The move comes as city officials weigh the results of a recent comprehensive, 10-year strategic plan commissioned by the department recently that shows call volume expanding at a fast pace, to the extent that the study suggests the department even consider going to full-time status soon.
During its September 2 meeting, the Monroe Common Council was set to consider a personnel plan to create a full-time deputy chief job for the department, a move fire Chief Al Rufer wholeheartedly supports.
“We are looking at a significant increase in calls and demands on the department,” said Rufer, a veteran firefighter who was appointed chief in 2023, having served as interim chief off and on over the years.
There were 307 calls for department service in 2022, compared to 295 in 2023, a roughly 5% increase, he said. And that volume has continued, as the department is now pushing 400 annual calls for service.
“The city is growing, and we have been very busy as a department,” said Rufer.
He said the quickening pace owes as much to other factors — such as fire inspections, community relations, administration, and other non-emergency activities — as it does to medical or fire-related requests for service. And there is no easy solution beyond community education to address the problem of the sheer number of non-transport lift-assist calls for the department.
The department, according to Rufer, is trying to be sensitive to taxpayers. He said there was a case to be made for both a full-time fire inspector and a full-time deputy chief but a decision was made to only make the deputy chief a full-time job — though the person in that role will likely be tasked with assisting with inspections and other needs.
What’s more, he said the department had more full-time staff positions until just recently, when cuts were made to keep to tight budgets.
“Hey, I’m a taxpayer, I get it,” said Rufer. “Three years ago, we basically had three people to do the job we do now with one.”
City staff seemed to agree, writing in a memo to the Common Council on the issue:
“The 2025-2035 Fire Department Strategic Plan presented by Mission CIT made some staffing recommendations for the Monroe Fire Department to consider. This included hiring a Full Time Deputy Chief, an increase from previously budgeted part-time position. It also recommended hiring the budgeted Fire Inspector and an Administrative Assistant. The current administration has considered these recommendations, and the most beneficial position that will balance department needs is to proceed with hiring is the full-time Deputy Chief.”
The budget impact is mainly that it will double the current budgeted amount for salary and benefits for the deputy chief position, rising to $122,500 from about $61,250.
Mayor Donna Douglas, during a recent village board meeting, touched on the department’s history of leadership and morale issues that have prompted studies, ad-hoc committees and periods of long-term vacancy in the chief’s job.
“We have fireman, and we have had our differences, but at some point… I certainly hope we can all work together to make a strong Monroe Fire Department,” said Douglas. “This is not an easy situation to be in.”
But Rufer, for his part, said the department is making progress and coming together as a unit, and the council’s responsiveness to the strategic plan and staff recommendations appears to reflect increased trust. New capabilities, life-saving skills and equipment — such as the department’s new ladder truck, purchased in large part with federal relief funds — are there for Monroe when it counts, he added.
“Now, I think for the first time in maybe four years we are at a place where I feel like we know where we are going together,” said Rufer. “What this is really about is saving lives and protecting the community.”
